Countries Visited So Far Click Each For More Info

New Zealand Wrap Up. . .

What an incredibly beautiful country. The stunning topography and environments from the northern most point of Cape Reinga to the South in Milford Sound were truly spectacular. Each day seemed like there was adventure to be had, and we really had to pace ourselves so we didn’t burn out from all of the activities. This country is truly for the adventurer in us all. Here are some of the things that stuck out most in our minds.

Highs/Best Moments: Celebrating our 3 year wedding anniversary in Auckland at Dine Restaurant: Heli-hiking Franz Joseph; the Bay of Islands especially kayaking trip to Hurura Falls; Zorbing; Queenstown; hiking in Abel Tasman; learning to drive on the other side of the road; bungee jumping; wine tasting; meeting jennathan; spending time with Jason’s cousins in Havelock North; eating green lipped mussels at The Occidental for the first time; “private” wine tasting tour in Marlborough; not having to pay tax or tip on anything; easy time difference since we were really only 3 hours behind home (but a day ahead); Bar-B-Q Bus tour to Milford Sound; being alive after the bungee jump; just hanging with Jason in the car and listening to music on our long drives

Lows/Worst Moments: The internet connection being so poor; discovering when we picked up the new rental car in the S.Island that we had painfully squeaky windshield wipers (the kind that make you not want to turn them on L ); having to switch from Trailways Motel to Delorenze Apartments in Nelson (after already settling into the room) b/c the internet megabyte limit was so low; realizing after an hour of trying to set up the “broadband “internet at the Coleraine Motel, it was actually a dial up connection; Jason getting a speeding ticket on the way to Queenstown; losing my jacket that I schlepped around with me and didn’t even use once; my camera breaking; getting stuck behind really slow car/campervans on the roads, and not being able to pass them

Sights: Sheep; waterfalls; one lane bridges; aquamarine blue streams; rapids, road-kill; wineries; glaciers; sounds; fyords; rainforests; mountains; beaches; Pancake Rocks; 90 Mile Beach; Abel Tasman; Milford Sound; Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier; Hurura Falls; Huka Falls; Lake Taupo

Food and Drink: “Platters for two” consisting of assortments of breads, cheeses, dips, olives, and meats; tons of wine tasting; pumpkin soups; feta cheese in everything; disappointing salads; chicken wraps and sandwiches; Export Gold Beer; manuka honey; Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Bancs; flat white coffees; long black coffees; green lipped mussels; lamb prepared any and every way;

FAVORITES:

Towns: Queenstown; Arrowtown; Napier

Accommodations: Metropolis in Auckland; Panaumu Apartments in Queenstown

Food: Mediterranean platter at Meze Restaurant in Wellington; rack of lamb at St. Georges Winery; sour cream and chicken pizza at Winnies in Queenstown; rum glazed chicken at Café Neve in Queenstown

Restaurants: Sugarboat in Pahia; The Cut in Nelson; Café Neve in Fox Glacier; The Bathhouse in Queenstown

Drink: 26,000 Vodka Martini at the Cut Restaurant

Activities: Zorbing, Heli-hiking Franz Joseph; Abel Tasman hike;

Internet Connection: Emerald Resort and Spa in Rotorua; Hoytt Movie Theater in Christchurch

LEAST FAVORITES:

Towns: Westport; Greymouth

Food: Buffet dinner at Skyline Gondola Restaurant in Queenstown

Restaurants: Dirty Mary’s in Westport

Drink: the spoiled bottle of wine at Le Plonk wine bar

Activities: searching for internet connections that actually worked!

Internet Connections: Atrium Towers Wellington (they actually refunded our money the connection was so bad); Coleraine Motel in Greymouth (informed us they had a wonderful broadband connection, which after an hour of Jason trying to figure out realized was a dial up connection and couldn’t acess!)

Currency and Exchange Rate: New Zealand Dollar - $1 NZ was equal to about $.66 US